Win or lose, Ottawa fans buzz with excitement over pro hockey playoffs

Elgin Street, re-dubbed Sens Mile for the NHL playoffs in Ottawa, was full of Senators fans on Saturday afternoon. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA

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Just as the clock hit 5 p.m., hundreds who had shown up at the Sir John A pub on Elgin Street burst into explosive cheers as the Ottawa Senators tied the score 1-1 against the Carolina Hurricanes.

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The goal was waved off after a video review, and the Senators went on to lose 2-0 in Game 1 of the National Hockey League playoff series, but that did little to reduce the buzz in the area around Elgin and MacLaren Street.

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Across the street at MacLaren’s pool bar, a fan identifying himself as Beezer Washingbeard was outside with friends. He said he had been waiting nine years for moments like this.

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“We made the playoffs last year, but really we’ve been waiting nine years and it feels good,” he said. “Everyone’s on the same page.”

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Ottawa police, included the mounted patrol, were part of the scene on Sens Mile (Elgin Street) on Saturday afternoon. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA

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Michael Hunt, who came with Washingbeard and Riley Henry, said it was great to see the hockey spirit play out in real time.

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“It’s good to see a lot of people from Ottawa out on Elgin and Sens Mile,” Hunt said between cigarettes. “I’ve been waiting all year for this … I really enjoy the energy that Ottawa brought all year, and, now that they’re here, I’m excited to see it.”

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Peter Abraham, co-owner of the Sir John A pub, said more than 250 fans showed up to cheer for the Senators in Game 1 of the best-of-seven series against the Hurricanes. Maclaren’s hosted about 270.

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“Everybody is having a great time,” Abraham said. “It’s great for the community. It’s great for us. It’s been a long winter, as you know, so just having everybody out and cheering.

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“Hopefully, we can make a good long run.”

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Elgin Street, known as the Sens Mile for the NHL playoffs in Ottawa, was full of Senators fans on Saturday. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA

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The Senators and the Ottawa Charge of the Professional Women’s Hockey League are having a big moment in the local hockey scene, but it’s a moment not just for their die-hard fans, but also for local businesses.

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Mayor Mark Sutcliffe, who attended the watch party at the pub, told the Ottawa Citizen that having the Senators make the playoffs and the Charge on the verge of doing the same was great for Ottawa’s economy.

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“These are businesses that have suffered through COVID and not as many people coming downtown and when you see this kind of vibrancy on Elgin Street, it’s really really great,” Sutcliffe said.

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“I hope there’s a long playoff run and that these businesses benefit from that.”

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Emotions run high among Senators fans on Elgin Street as they watch Game 1 of the NHL playoff series against the Hurricanes on Saturday afternoon. Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA

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Eric Champoux, a brand leader for Foodtastics, which is the master franchising firm that includes brands like Ottawa-based Big Rig and Shoeless Joe’s Sports Grill, said a boost in restaurant sales came the week leading up to the playoffs.

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“Let’s say on a normal Tuesday, we do $2,500 in sales, maybe we’ll do $10,000 for (game) day,” he said. “It’s very nice to have those playoffs for our restaurant businesses.”